From People
[Brenton Blanchet]:
Lauren Chapin, a former child star known for her role in '50s sitcom Father Knows Best, has died. She was 80.
Chapin's son, Matthew, announced the news via Facebook on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and shared that the actress died following a cancer diagnosis.
"After a long hard-fought battle over the past 5 years, the time has come. My mother, Lauren Chapin passed away from her battle with cancer tonight," Matthew wrote, tagging a fan page for his mom. "I'm at a complete loss for words right now. Please keep my sister and family in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this incredibly tough time."
And hopefully, the Television Crossover Hall of Fame will do just that with the memorial tribute induction of
Lauren Ann Chapin (May 23, 1945 – February 24, 2026) was an American actress who played the role of the youngest child "Kathy Anderson" (nicknamed "Kitten") on the television show 'Father Knows Best' between 1954 and 1960. She appeared in 196 episodes of the 203 in the series. Chapin was awarded five Junior Emmys for Best Child Actress.
In the 17 years since the series had ended, the characters of Betty and Bud had both married and had families of their own. Betty was the widowed mother of two girls, Jenny (Cari Anne Warder) and Ellen (Kyle Richards), while Bud and his wife Jean (Susan Adams) were the parents of a son, Robert "Robby" (Christopher Gardner).
Kathy had become engaged to a doctor, Jason Harper (Hal England).
Here are the productions which get "Kitten" in the TVXOHOF:
201 Episodes (1954-1960)
FATHER KNOWS BEST: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (1977 TV movie)
Three separate productions are all that is needed for membership in the Hall. And the two reunion movies are distinct from the actual series.
Welcome to the Hall, Lauren Chapin. As Red Skelton would say, "Good night and may God bless...."
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